Meaning and usage of the word bar in English

Meaning of vocabulary bar

barnoun

quán bán rượu

/bɑː/

Meaning of vocabulary <b>bar</b></b>

Origin of the word bar

The word "bar" has a fascinating history! The term originated in the 14th century from the Old French word "barre," which means "pole" or "beam." This French term was derived from the Latin word "barra," also meaning a "rod" or "stick." In the context of metalworking, a "bar" referred to a long, solid piece of metal, often used for creating tools or furniture. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the term "bar" began to be used in British pubs to describe the counter where beer and spirits were served. The term was likely influenced by the idea of a "bar" or barrier between the server and the customer, as well as the physical bar or counter itself. Over time, the term "bar" has adapted to encompass various meanings, including a meeting place, a social gathering, and even a prefix for various occupations (e.g., bartender, barista, and more!).

Vocabulary summary bar

typenoun

meaningbar (unit of pressure)

examplebar unforesner uncumstances: except in extraordinary circumstances

examplebar one

examplebar nome: no exceptions

typenoun

meaningbar

examplebar unforesner uncumstances: except in extraordinary circumstances

examplebar one

examplebar nome: no exceptions

meaningsong block; then block (door)

meaningroadblock; roadblock (for tax collection)

Example of vocabulary barfor drinks/food

meaning

a place where you can buy and drink alcoholic and other drinks

  • We arranged to meet in a bar called the Flamingo.
  • The area is full of restaurants and bars.
  • The bar staff are very friendly.
  • It's the island’s only licensed bar (= one that is allowed to sell alcoholic drinks).
  • I found David in the bar of the Red Lion (= a room in a pub where drinks are served).
meaning

a place in which a particular kind of food or drink is the main thing that is served

  • a sushi bar
  • The hotel has a cocktail bar on the top floor.
meaning

a long wide wooden surface where drinks, etc. are served

  • She was sitting at the bar.
  • He spent the summer working behind the bar at the local pub.
  • It was so crowded I couldn't get to the bar.

Example of vocabulary barof chocolate/soap

meaning

a piece of something with straight sides

  • a bar of chocolate/soap
  • a chocolate bar
  • a candy bar

Example of vocabulary barof metal/wood

meaning

a long straight piece of metal or wood. Bars are often used to stop somebody from getting through a space.

  • He smashed the window with an iron bar.
  • The room was small, with bars on the windows.
  • The windows at street level were fitted with bars.
  • a five-bar gate (= one made with five horizontal bars of wood)

Example of vocabulary barin computing

meaning

a long narrow area at the edge of a computer screen that contains links or pull-down menus or displays information about the website or program that you are using

Example of vocabulary barin sports

meaning

the crossbar of a goal

  • His shot hit the bar.

Example of vocabulary barof colour/light

meaning

a band of colour or light

  • Bars of sunlight slanted down from the tall narrow windows.

Example of vocabulary barthat prevents something

meaning

a thing that stops somebody from doing something

  • At that time being a woman was a bar to promotion in most professions.

Example of vocabulary barin music

meaning

one of the short sections of equal length that a piece of music is divided into, and the notes that are in it

  • four beats to the bar
  • the opening bars of a piece of music
  • She played a few bars on the piano.

Example of vocabulary barlaw

meaning

the profession of barrister (= a lawyer in a higher court)

  • to be called to the Bar (= allowed to work as a qualified barrister)
meaning

the profession of any kind of lawyer

Example of vocabulary barmeasurement

meaning

a unit for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere, equal to a hundred thousand newtons per square metre

Example of vocabulary barin electric fire

meaning

a piece of metal with wire wrapped around it that becomes red and hot when electricity is passed through it

  • Switch another bar on if you’re cold.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary bar

Idioms of vocabulary bar

behind bars
(informal)in prison
  • The murderer is now safely behind bars.
lower the bar
to set a new, lower standard of quality or performance
  • In the current economic climate we may need to lower the bar on quotas.
not have a bar of something
(Australian English, New Zealand English, informal)to have nothing to do with something
  • If he tries to sell you his car, don't have a bar of it.
raise the bar
to set a new, higher standard of quality or performance
  • The factory has raised the bar on productivity, food safety and quality.
  • This latest computer game raises the bar for interface design.
  • The awards go to people who have truly raised the bar.
  • Perhaps the new admission requirements raised the bar too high.
set the bar
to set a standard of quality or performance
  • The show really sets the bar for artistic invention.
  • Sofia sets the bar very high for what she expects of herself.

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